A Program of High Tech High GSE

  Our Approach to Continuous

Improvement

Our Approach to
Continuous Improvement

Every system is designed to get the results it gets. 

Let’s design and create better systems for our students!

Continuous improvement provides us with a roadmap to transform our school systems so that every young person can learn and thrive. The path to better opportunities for all students is not always linear – but the steps below support teams and organizations to get moving to get learning.

A group of colorful, smiling cartoon figures holding flags with motivational phrases: Im ready, Lets go! and Go Team. The figures are in pastel shades against a white background, symbolizing teamwork and enthusiasm.
Choose a Focus
Identify a problem area where your system is falling short – and the stakeholders who should be involved in addressing it. 1
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A group of colorful, smiling cartoon figures holding flags with motivational phrases: Im ready, Lets go! and Go Team. The figures are in pastel shades against a white background, symbolizing teamwork and enthusiasm.
Illustration of a shovel labeled Data & Research digging into a grassy hill, revealing tree roots. A tree with yellow and orange leaves stands above. The background is a soft blue.
Understand Why
Connect with those closest to the problem to understand how your current conditions are producing your current outcomes. 2
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Illustration of a shovel labeled Data & Research digging into a grassy hill, revealing tree roots. A tree with yellow and orange leaves stands above. The background is a soft blue.
A cartoon image shows a rope bridge connecting two cliffs. One side has a sign labeled Improvement and the other Equity, symbolizing the connection between the two concepts. The sky is clear and blue.
Craft a Theory
Learn from others who are getting results on the same issue. Then, craft a theory of improvement – a measurable aim and a set of change ideas to get you there. 3
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A cartoon image shows a rope bridge connecting two cliffs. One side has a sign labeled Improvement and the other Equity, symbolizing the connection between the two concepts. The sky is clear and blue.
A colorful circle divided into four quadrants labeled Plan (blue), Do (green), Study (yellow), and Act (pink), with arrows forming a cycle connecting each section.
Engage in Cycles of Inquiry
Test change ideas on a small scale, iterating as you learn about what works, for whom, and under what conditions. 4
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A colorful circle divided into four quadrants labeled Plan (blue), Do (green), Study (yellow), and Act (pink), with arrows forming a cycle connecting each section.
A colorful, simplified drawing of five abstract human-like figures in a meeting. One is presenting ideas on a flipchart, while another takes notes. The group has a mix of colors: blue, orange, pink, yellow, and green.
Reflect on your Learning
Step back and reflect on what you’ve learned. What worked and what didn’t? Measure your progress and identify next steps to move forward. 5
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A colorful, simplified drawing of five abstract human-like figures in a meeting. One is presenting ideas on a flipchart, while another takes notes. The group has a mix of colors: blue, orange, pink, yellow, and green.
Four colorful, anonymous figures sit smiling around a round table, each a different color: brown, pink, yellow, and green, on a white background.
Sustain and Spread
Create structures for continuing and growing your good work to support more students and educators – and share your results with fellow improvers! 6
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Four colorful, anonymous figures sit smiling around a round table, each a different color: brown, pink, yellow, and green, on a white background.
I think one of the first things we can do, particularly in education, to bring the dreaming back in is to listen to the children.
Brandi Hinnant-Crawford
Clemson University

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Brandi-Hinnant-Crawdford_WEB
I think one of the first things we can do, particularly in education, to bring the dreaming back in is to listen to the children.”
Brandi Hinnant-Crawford
Clemson University

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Brandi-Hinnant-Crawdford_WEB
Improvement for transformation is about shifting from egosystems to ecosystems.
David Montes de Oca
Chief of Improvement & District Partnerships, CORE Districts of California

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A smiling bald man, identified as Derek Mitchell, with a trimmed mustache and goatee wears glasses on his head, a buttoned olive green shirt, and small earrings. The background is transparent.
Improvement for transformation is about shifting from egosystems to ecosystems.”
David Montes de Oca
Chief of Improvement & District Partnerships, CORE Districts of California

.

A smiling bald man, identified as Derek Mitchell, with a trimmed mustache and goatee wears glasses on his head, a buttoned olive green shirt, and small earrings. The background is transparent.

Over and over, folks in our networks, particularly classroom teachers, have come to us and said, Thank you. You don’t think we’re broken. You think we are the solution.

Sofi Frankowski
Co-founder of Schools that Lead

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A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and a dark patterned top, smiles broadly against a blurred blue background at Derek Mitchell’s event.

Over and over, folks in our networks, particularly classroom teachers, have come to us and said, Thank you. You don’t think we’re broken. You think we are the solution.

“
Sofi Frankowski
Co-founder of Schools that Lead

.

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing glasses, large hoop earrings, and a dark patterned top, smiles broadly against a blurred blue background at Derek Mitchell’s event.
You have to begin with the absence of fear. Fear and improvement are not compatible. Fear and learning are not compatible. When a kid is scared, they’re too busy being scared to learn. The same is true in organizations.
Don Berwick
President Emeritus & Senior Fellow at Institute for Healthcare Improvement

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An older man with white hair and glasses, wearing a dark suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, poses in front of a light, blurred background.
You have to begin with the absence of fear. Fear and improvement are not compatible. Fear and learning are not compatible. When a kid is scared, they’re too busy being scared to learn. The same is true in organizations.”
Don Berwick
President Emeritus & Senior Fellow at Institute for Healthcare Improvement

.

An older man with white hair and glasses, wearing a dark suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, poses in front of a light, blurred background.
How do we make sure that students are set up in ninth grade to be post-secondary ready? These conversations are happening in grade nine in our improvement teams. This is not something additional that we’re doing. This is part of who we are. This is the way we work to support all our students.
Nichelle Woodson
Chief of Network Success at RISE

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Nichelle-Woodson_WEB
How do we make sure that students are set up in ninth grade to be post-secondary ready? These conversations are happening in grade nine in our improvement teams. This is not something additional that we’re doing. This is part of who we are. This is the way we work to support all our students.”
Nichelle Woodson
Chief of Network Success at RISE

.

Nichelle-Woodson_WEB

Looking at focus students, being able to identify trends and be able to apply very clear, specific change ideas is what I believe our school and teacher community needed to continue to grow.

Vanessa Ruiz
Lemon Grove Academy Middle

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Vanessa-Ruiz_WEB

Looking at focus students, being able to identify trends and be able to apply very clear, specific change ideas is what I believe our school and teacher community needed to continue to grow.

“
Vanessa Ruiz
Lemon Grove Academy Middle

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Vanessa-Ruiz_WEB

When we find solutions to chronic absenteeism, we’re not only solving attendance, we’re also addressing some of the causes deeply rooted in the community itself. For example challenges with transportation, housing and most importantly health.

Kevin Gee
University California Davis

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Kevin-Gee_WEB

When we find solutions to chronic absenteeism, we’re not only solving attendance, we’re also addressing some of the causes deeply rooted in the community itself. For example challenges with transportation, housing and most importantly health.

“
Kevin Gee
University California Davis

.

Kevin-Gee_WEB

We have been in the CARPE network for six years and it has helped us design a systemic way to reach all of our students, analyze data and create a college going culture.

Joann Loyarte
Downey High School

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A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a patterned jacket and a light-colored top, posing against a neutral background for Derek Mitchell’s latest portrait series.

We have been in the CARPE network for six years and it has helped us design a systemic way to reach all of our students, analyze data and create a college going culture.

“
Joann Loyarte
Downey High School

.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a patterned jacket and a light-colored top, posing against a neutral background for Derek Mitchell’s latest portrait series.

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